Cheryl Rainfield: YA Author

I write the books I needed as a teen and couldn't find. Award-winning YA author of SCARS, STAINED, HUNTED, Parallel Visions. Feminist, Incest and Ritual Abuse Survivor, Queer. Book-a-holic. More about me and my books can be found at CherylRainfield.com and my blog.

[cherylrainfield]

If you are struggling right now to focus, if you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. If you're struggling to get work done, that's okay. If you're throwing youself into work, that's okay, too. For so many creative, sensitive people, for survivors of trauma and mental health warriors--including myself--it's been hard to focus during the pandwmic. We might be productive one day and not be able to the next. However you get through this pandemic, as long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else, is it okay. Just be gentle with yourself. This is a tough time for us all. #NoShameInCoping #ShieldYourMentalHealh And remember to #ReachOutToConnect if you need it. It can help. https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealth #traumasurvivor #trauma #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VRdVAgEu8/?igshid=14el1jiri6uuv

[cherylrainfield]

It is a hard, traumatizing time right now for most of us, made worse by isolation, by grief and sickness and loss around us, and the onslaught of negative news. Add in the pressure and shaming us to be productive, even more than usual because we have all this "time" - which completely ignores how traumatizing the pandemic is - and it can affect your mental health. It's okay to do what you need to do to #ShieldYourMentalHealth and cope. Some days during this pandemic all I can do is listen to audiobooks, or make crafts as gifts, or sew masks for people I love because it helps me feel calmer and like I'm doing something to help. Other days I am so overwhelmed and exhausted that I can't do anything at all. And some days I can actually write or edit my books, and those days I am grateful for the focus and energy. But always throat it I am reminding myself but it's okay to cope however I need to cope, and if I can't be productive that is okay. My mental health is more important. I hope you will join me in reminding others to #ShieldYourMentalHealth, that there is #NoShameInCoping, and to #ReachOutToConnect Use the hashtags on social media, and if you tag me I will re-share it. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VBxqlAiV0/?igshid=6jj2qbhuqhus

[cherylrainfield]

As human beings we need connection & safe touch - they are basic needs. On top of everything else that is hard during the pandemic, the isolation can really affect your mental health. Please #ReachOutToConnect to others. Check in with people you love, let them know you care about them, and give them a chance to love you back. Reach out to crisis lines if you need to. You are not alone. Join me and other authors, educators, survivors, and mental health warriors in spreading the word. https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Uzy-qgaNi/?igshid=252k2f6zv0of

[cherylrainfield]

The pandemic is traumatizing. You should not feel pressure to be productive or "okay," or have your atruggles minimized. If you are struggling right now to focus on work, or have greater anxiety, depression, or exhaustion, you are not alone. Join me and other authors, creatives, & educators on Thursday, April 23 in letting others know there is #NoShameInCoping and that it’s okay to #ShieldYourMentalHealth and to #ReachOutToConnect. See more of the authors involved here: https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_RAAkrg-U9/?igshid=5awf20d7zrm9

[cherylrainfield]

#Readers! Do you know that you can buy books online from https://bookshop.org & they donate 10-25% to indie bookstores? A great way to support indie bookstores if yours isn't shipping. It's an indie alternative to Amazon. #indiebookstores #shoplocal https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NRnbOgLac/?igshid=hlos12t3az98

[cherylrainfield]

Children and teens with abusive family, or who deal with mental health issues, may especially be struggling now. (As well as adult survivors of abuse or with mental health issues.) If you or someone you know deals with self-harm, please remember that you don't deserve to be hurt, not by anyone--not even by yourself. Read or print my Reasons Not To Hurt Yourself http://www.cherylrainfield.com/reasons-not-to-hurt-yourself/ And if you or someone you know struggles with #suicide, please reach out online for help. You may also find my Reasons Not To Kill Yourself helpful. http://www.cherylrainfield.com/reasons-not-to-kill-yourself/ And for #LGBTQIA youth who have homophobic or non-supportive family, and who are now isolated - I know how hard it can be. Keep connecting with supportive people online. It does get better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_XIpkisWxo&feature=emb_title You are not alone - even if it feels like you are. There are people who've been where you are and who understand. Keep taking good, gentle care of yourself. Connect with others online. And remember that you can also find escape and pleasure, and "people" who understand you, through books. They helped me survive my child- and teenhood, and still help me. Turn to them when you need to! #selfinjury #selfharm #healing #selflove #abusesurvivor #trauma #lgbtqia #cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zoiaXA1AP/?igshid=1hhd33lc6hemm

[cherylrainfield]

A reader comment made me realize that you may not all know that I am Canadian. I am the author of SCARS, which was Canada's 2010 Governor General Literary Award finalist; HUNTED, which was a Monica Hughes Award finalist and a Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz award finalist; STAINED; DRAGON SPEAKER: THE LAST DRAGON; SKINWALKERS: WALKING BOTH SIDES; and my self-published PARALLEL VISIONS, and a contributor to YOU TOO? and DEAR TEEN ME. i'm only listing Canadian awards today because it is #IReadCanadianDay! I am proud to write Canadian #LGBTQIA YAlit with strong girls who save themselves. #IReadCanadianDay #IReadCanadian #cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #YAbooks #bookstagram #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #scars #selfharm #sexualabuse #trauma #healing #MeToo https://www.instagram.com/p/B8w5BaeAc2t/?igshid=1qgzfvgmit5z7

[cherylrainfield]

There's one last Canadian #kidlit illustrator that I want to highlight - @ahant0 - because I think she is incredibly talented. Her first picture book is The Moon Watched It All written by Shelley Leedahl. #IReadCanadianDay #IReadCanadian https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wdVktA5k5/?igshid=1t4ht3ah9p9gn

[cherylrainfield]

And if you'd like to read some fantastic Canadian #LGBTQIA books, check out @kevinthomascraig, @m_e_girard, @robinstevensonwrites, @musing_star Star Spider & find more here https://bit.ly/38mWesz & https://bit.ly/3byuLWQ #IReadCanadian #LGBTQ #IReadCanadianDay #LGBTQIA https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wbcjCAie2/?igshid=mdrda1ec5e8c

[cherylrainfield]

There are so many fantastic, compelling, gripping #YAit novels by Canadian authors. Some of my favourites are Punch Like a Girl by Karen Crossing, Witchlanders by Lena Coakley, Under My Skin by Charles de Lint, Outcast by Adrienne Kress, & Deviants by Maureen McGowan. #IReadCanadianDay #IReadCanadian https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wYDZIAI7B/?igshid=3uv0vaqx00u5

[cherylrainfield]

Some of my top favourite Canadian middle grade and tween books and autbors are From Anna by Jean Little; Julie by Cora Taylor; Janey's Girl by Gayle Friesen; & Daughter by Ishbel Moore. #IReadCanadianDay #IReadCanadian #JeanLittle #CoraTaylor #GayleFriesen #IshbelMoore https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wWeZmgOMQ/?igshid=16925a0u565bk

[cherylrainfield]

Canada has so many fantastic #kidlit picture book authors and illustrators! Some of my top favourite #picture books are Sam & Eva by @inkygirl ; Chicken, Pig, Cow's First Fight by @ruthohi ; Chester by Melanie Watt; and The Complete Adventures Of The Mole Sisters by Roslyn Schwartz. And I love all their other books too! #IReadCanadian #IReadCanadianDay #debbieridpathohi #ruthohi #melaniewatt #roslynschwartz https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wU4CoA0A3/?igshid=cd407ety2yb

[cherylrainfield]

I am always so glad - and grateful - when readers love and recommend my books, and when they appreciate the strong-girl characters I write who save themselves - the way I did. The way so many of us do. Survivors are strong! Thank you, May MacNevin!  She wrote: "Cheryl Rainfield writes these kinds of stories, if you know a person who needs to be their own hero get them into her works, she’s an inspiration." #survivorwarrior #survivorthriver #cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #YAbooks #bookstagram#bookrecs #bookrecommendations #csa #rape #sexualassault #sexualabuse #trauma #healing https://www.instagram.com/p/B8t4Imqgab7/?igshid=12t3qgrlnfaay

[cherylrainfield]

Support survivors. Help break the silence by reading books that deal with sexual violence, incest, rape, assault, and share them with others who need them. Review them if you can. Writer and reader @gdcribbs has created this fantastic visual post of many #YAlit survivor books! Swipe through to see them all; there are some powerful books here. I am grateful and honored that he included SCARS, STAINED, and YOU TOO? Via @gdcribbs In light of #SAAM #SAAPM: 135 #YASurvivorBooks: Please read, review, and buy your own copy to amplify the voice of survivors. Thank you. RTs welcome. #MeToo #MenToo #MeTooK12 #BelieveSurvivors #YAsaves #supportsurvivors #churchtoo #cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #YAbooks #bookstagram #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #scars #selfharm #sexualabuse #incest #trauma #healing https://www.instagram.com/p/B8oYt5sgwYE/?igshid=72nhtsc6319z

[cherylrainfield]

I LOVE this article by Lesley Roessing on Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday on strong-girl characters in YA lit. And I'm honored that she including Kendra from SCARS in it! Her article: https://bit.ly/31ECJsP I also especially love that she said: "In contemporary novels, strong female characters demonstrate resilience over a variety issues and concerns—facing challenges, traumas, and adversity in diverse forms. These are characters who mirror the issues that are faced by current adolescent girls and who provide models and maps for navigating those problems." We need to know we're not alone. Being alone and in pain makes the pain so much worse, but when we see we're not alone it helps lighten the pain and helps us feel better. And when we see others in books surviving something hard or traumatic that we have, too, and getting through it, then we realize that we can, too. And that it can get better. Thank you so very much to Lesley for this fantastic article and shout out to SCARS! #nancydrew #stronggirls #yabookrecommendations #YAbookrecs #lesleyroessing #cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #YAbooks #bookstagram #bookrecs #SCARS #selfharm #sexualabuse #trauma #healing https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RsW2MA8Ou/?igshid=1vypul2fcgzlm

[cherylrainfield]

1 in 3 girls. 1 in 5 boys. Sexual abuse and assault needs to be talked about. You Too? releases today! 25 authors share their #MeToo stories, with essays by me, @ellenhopkinsauthor @bethrevis @themackenzilee @janetgurtler @jenbrownyabooks @pattyblount3 @jesscapelle @andrealrogers @lilrongal @astoldbytiffb @ctnicolas @kenacliford @fallzswimmer and more! This is a powerful, honest, validating anthology that tells survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault not they are not alone, and helps people who don't have those experiences see just how widespread it really is. Survivors need to know that they're not alone. They need to know that they're not to blame. This anthology can help. Every teen should have access to this book. Every school and library should have one. I hope that you will order your copy today. #YouToo #csa #incest #rape #sexualassault #sexualabuse #trauma #healing #traumasurvivor https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ba7cBgNjT/?igshid=vi7q5rl7ujgh

[cherylrainfield]

We need to keep conversations happening. 1 in 3 girls. 1 in 5 boys. Every school and library should have a copy. If you’ve been sexually abused, raped, or assaulted, too, know that you are not alone and it was NOT your fault. And together, we can all support each other. Enter to win 1 of 3 copies - including 2 copies signed by all the authors! (See below) I am honoured to have an essay in You Too?: 25 Voices Share Their #MeToo Stories. I think that by breaking silence we encourage other survivors to know they're not alone, seek help, and heal, and we help people who aren't survivors understand a bit more. There are so many strong voices in this anthology, including @jenbrownyabooks @pattyblount3 @bethrevis @ellenhopkinsauthor @janetgurtler @jesscapelle @themackenzilee @lilrongal @andrealrogers @astoldbytiffb @ctnicolas @kenacliford and more! 🌈📚🌈 Enter to win a copy on GoodReads. https://bit.ly/2MZqAZr Enter to win 1 of 2 copies signed by all the authors, plus a swag bag: As authors who are also survivors of sexual assault, we want to help raise funds for @rainn , who not only provide support for sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault survivors, but also provide education and advocacy.  If you donate to RAINN using our fundraiser page https://fundraise.rainn.org/team/273355 no matter the amount, you are automatically entered to win 1 of 2 copies of You Too? signed by all the authors in the anthology! Plus one of those winners also gets a swag bag with bracelets, a Yeti cup, and other great items. #YouToo #csa #rape #sexualassault #sexualabuse #trauma #healing #MeToo #rainn #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #cherylrainfield #jenniferbrown #pattyblount #bethrevis #ellenhopkins #janetgurtler #jessicacapelle #mackenzielee #ronicadavis #tiffanybrownlee #nicolasdidomizo #kennaclifford https://www.instagram.com/p/B68L27RAb30/?igshid=1gjby34msknzy